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Clinton Portis says he hopes to play Monday night vs. Eagles

By
Jason Reid

Running back Clinton Portis, who has missed half the season because of an injury, is "working" in hopes of playing this week as Washington plays host to Philadelphia on Monday night at FedEx Field, he said during a radio interview Tuesday.

In his weekly appearance on 106.7 The Fan's The Mike Wise Show with Holden Kushner, Portis, who last played on Oct. 3 against the Eagles in Washington's 17-12 victory at Lincoln Financial Field, said his intention is to join his teammates for the big-stage game.

"I would say I'm working," Portis said. "I'm working on getting back, man. I'm trying to get there. I'm trying to be ready for Monday night."

Because of their concerns about depth at running back, the Redskins would welcome back Portis as soon as possible. The nine-year veteran has been sidelined since he suffered a severe groin tear during the Week 4 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles.

He returned to practice on the final day of work before the Redskins began their bye week, and practiced Monday as the Redskins returned. Coach Mike Shanahan has declined to offer a timetable for Portis's return to the field, though signs have pointed to Portis trying to rejoin the lineup for this week's NFC East matchup.

Second-year running back Ryan Torain has been productive in place of Portis, rushing for 391 yards (with a 4.3-yard average) in six games, including four starts since Portis was sidelined. Torain rushed for at least 100 yards in consecutive games, accomplishing the feat in Weeks 6 and 7.

But the hard-running, injury-prone back sat out the second half of the Week 8 loss to Detroit because of a hamstring injury. Rookie Keiland Williams was the Redskins' only active back in the final two quarters at Ford Field.

Chad Simpson, who contributes primarily on special teams, has been slowed recently by a hamstring problem. James Davis, recently signed to the practice squad, could be promoted this week to help in the backfield.

Davis apparently has drawn interest from other teams, so the Redskins may have to sign him to the 53-man active roster - if not this week then soon - to retain him. Selected in the sixth round (195th overall) by Cleveland in the 2009 draft, Davis said he has quickly learned Shanahan's offense because he played in a similar system at Clemson.

Even late in his career, Portis is considered among the league's best backs at picking up blitzes. In the four games Portis has sat out, quarterback Donovan McNabb has been sacked 16 times, including a season-high six times in the 37-25 loss in Week 8 to Detroit (the Lions had seven sacks in the game).

McNabb was sacked only six times in the first four games. Only Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler (28 sacks) has been sacked more than McNabb.

"I can't sit and say I would be the savior" in pass protection, Portis said. "I think it's a different mind-set of guys rushing [the quarterback] when I'm in the backfield compared to when I'm not. ... But as a team, we got to protect Donovan.

"You've got to protect Donovan McNabb. You can't have him on his back. You can't have him shell-shocked."

Posted by: BeantownGreg1 | November 9, 2010 11:47 AM
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If they activate Davis, then someone will have to go from the active roster. My vote would be for Roydell Williams or Vonnie Holiday. Darrell Young, although a promising young guy, is expendable as well. They could IR Simpson to open a spot, but I heard he was close to being ready. It's a dilemma.

Brownie, that's cause the Ginas are wreaking havoc. We have to play them twice and we had the CowPatties, Rams & Lions in our 1st half.. how is the 2nd half easier?

Posted by: DikShuttle | November 9, 2010 11:28 AM

Just a guess.

The Vikes suck. The Cowboys are even worse than they were when we played 'em. Those are easier games (for us) than the Rams or Lions because the Skins won't sleep on those two teams.

I don't buy the Bucs or the Ginas down the stretch. The only game that scares me even a little bit is the Titans game...on the road, against sick speed like Moss and CJ2K...don't like our D in that matchup.

Otherwise, I don't see why we can't (if healthy) go 4-4 down the stretch.

1. Running back Ryan Torain said he was able to run full speed in practice Monday, though coach Mike Shanahan said it was too early to tell how Torain or fellow injured running back Clinton Portis (groin) was doing. Torain tweaked his hamstring in the Oct. 31 loss to Detroit, but said he “felt great out there” in practice Monday.

“I was out there running plays,” he said.

If Torain or Portis can’t play, the Redskins likely would promote running back James Davis off the practice squad. Davis turned down a chance to sign with Carolina to remain in Washington.

2. Safety Chris Horton was placed on injured reserve after suffering a high ankle sprain in the Oct. 31 loss to Detroit. Horton, the fourth safety, injured his ankle on special teams. High ankle sprains are tricky and often take six to eight weeks of recovery time.

The Redskins promoted rookie Anderson Russell off the practice squad to take Horton’s place. Russell, an undrafted free agent, has been on the practice squad all season.

Washington also signed receiver Taurus Johnson and safety Sha’reff Rashad to the practice squad.

3. Coach Mike Shanahan said the surgery performed on KR/PR Brandon Banks (knee) usually requires two to three weeks of recovery time, which would put his status for the Tennessee game in doubt. Banks underwent surgery during the bye week.

Phillip Buchanon will replace him on punt returns; Chad Simpson and Byron Westbrook will replace him on kickoff returns.

Do we need to say that losing Banks will hurt the return game? Didn’t think so. But it will.

4. Now, to the favorite topic at Redskins Park: Donovan McNabb and The Decision.

Yes, it was good for the players to get away for a little bit, if only to escape the whole McNabb saga. Not that everyone was able to do that. "Everywhere I was, that's all I saw was stuff about Donovan," corner DeAngelo Hall said. "So I don't think the bye week gave it a chance to go anywhere except sit there and fester, so it's still there.”

5. I’m guessing Shanahan longs for the days of answering questions about Albert Haynesworth and the conditioning test. During his 11-minute presser today most of the questions centered around the McNabb benching and the aftermath, mainly because a new round of reports were broadcast on various national networks suggesting deeper issues. Again.

“We went down that road enough and if I keep going down it, it will swerve in a little different direction and we’ve taken it a different way,” Shanahan said. “But it’s a tough decision. It’s not always popular, but it’s one I felt was right. As I shared with the team, sometimes you don’t always make the right decision, but you make a decision based on your gut feeling ... and you go with it.

"It's the nature of the beast. Anytime you make a decision like that, obviously there's going to be a lot of controversy."

brown, yeah. Every former NFL'er calls it the "National Football League" as if they were mandated by the league office to do so. It bugs the hell out of everyone, notably Steve Czaban here in D.C. He had a segment on this morning talking about how it's always referred as the "National Football League" John Gruden and his "This guy" speak and how *fill in the blank* "is a football player".

I'm happy Czabe is back on. I can't stand Mike & Mike and I NEVER listen to 106.7, they both suck majorly, majorly suck, or what have you...

4th, I put Stafford in there because despite his injuries I think he's been decent to pretty damn impressive when he is healthy and playing.

6. An ESPN report suggested that the Redskins have had to cut down the playbook a decent amount to accommodate McNabb. Backup QB Rex Grossman, who played for Kyle Shanahan in Houston last year, said that’s not the case.

“I don’t think it’s true,” Grossman said. “We had 120 plays going into a game last year and we have 100-some this year. I don’t think we have any less plays because of Donovan at all.”

7. Shanahan did say McNabb’s tempo has improved over the past month.

8. Also, McNabb’s hamstrings are still bothering him, Shanahan said, but they are feeling better than a week ago. He was able to participate in the six 100-yard runs after practice.

9. After doing some self-scouting, Shanahan decided the offense needs to improve in every area. Meanwhile, he also said the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

10. Hall’s six interceptions have tied his career best, but he enters the second half of the season with a chance to do something no Redskins player has done since 1964: intercept more than nine passes. The last Redskin to record double figures in interceptions was Paul Krause in 1964. But there have been three times where a Redskin has finished with nine interceptions, the last coming in 1987 when Barry Wilburn grabbed that many. Regardless, Hall’s next interception will tie him for the most by a Redskin in the past 20 years.

If they activate Davis, then someone will have to go from the active roster. My vote would be for Roydell Williams or Vonnie Holiday. Darrell Young, although a promising young guy, is expendable as well. They could IR Simpson to open a spot, but I heard he was close to being ready. It's a dilemma.

Posted by: RedSkinHead | November 9, 2010 12:01 PM | Report abuse

My vote is Roydell Williams as well! Young plays a lot of special teams, and Holliday isn't acutally doing bad coming in on certain situations defensively. Can Davis play Special Teams? If so, then you can afford to let someone go like Young or Simpson, especially if CP can actually go Monday Night!!! Otherwise, get rid of Roydell 'Waste of Roster Space' Williams!

Moe,
Portis could stay around after this year, but ONLY if if were to renegotiate for a much lower salary, and accept a greatly reduced role. Otherwise, I agree that he will be gone.

RSH,
If they bring up J. Davis, I'm betting that they would drop K. Williams. He is still eligable to be re-signed to the practice squad. They don't need 5 RBs on the active roster, even with three of them being dinged.

I just don't get it. How does Portis have it like that! Every year he sits out, sits out, and sits out. The rate he is going he will have a twenty year career - I guess it is all about Clinton and the money.

Jesus. Two numbnutz posts rolled into one. I guess that's called hitting the bifecta, no?

Posted by: BrokeBackOps | November 9, 2010 12:24 PM | Report abuse

Wow, you come up with that all by yourself? Or did your mommy tell you when she bought you that dumb video game? You must have cleaned your room good to earn that didn't you?
BTW, I fixed your User ID for ya! You're welcome!!!

1 » The New York Giants are the best team in the NFC East and probably the NFC. Not a shocking revelation at this point, but the way they rush the passer covers up a lot of sins. They also don’t have to use sub packages to pressure the quarterback, another major advantage they enjoy over, say, the Redskins. Philadelphia is a more dangerous team with Michael Vick at quarterback, but the Eagles’ defense has flaws. Still, the offensive firepower is why they’re ahead of Washington. Both the Redskins and Eagles play New York twice in the second half. And then there’s Dallas ...

2 » Monday night’s game is a big one for the Redskins. A loss puts them two games behind Philadelphia and a potential three games behind the New York Giants. With a road game at Tennessee the following week, if the Redskins have designs on the playoffs they must win one of the next two games. Though the NFC is rather mediocre, the battle for a wild card spot now might take 10 wins. New Orleans (6-3) and Philly (5-3) both are in second place in their respective divisions.

3 » The honeymoon for the Mike Shanahan regime has officially ended, thanks in part to the handling of the Donovan McNabb situation. Even during a bye week the Redskins remained a topic of conversation because of the rationale behind benching McNabb. More reports about the Shanahans displeasure with McNabb leaked out Sunday. All, or at least some, of this could have been alleviated with a different explanation after the move, rather than have the reasoning come out over three days. But all of the rumors make it appear that McNabb’s situation could become a lot like Jim Zorn’s last season when his ouster was inevitable.

4 » The players needed this bye week. Because of the loss to Detroit and the McNabb situation, it would have made for a salty locker room. Instead, they were able to leave town, or at least stay away from the facility (and the media), recharge and return. It may be that the bye came at the most opportune time. Of course, if they lose to Philadelphia and McNabb plays poorly ...

I think Portis returning to the line up is one of them. Not for his running skills, but for his blitz pick-up skills.

Key #1. Run the ball. This is the best argument for getting Dockery back on the field. He can plow the road. Rabach and Lickurmother can't move their guys off the line and often get trucked back into the play. Not good. We have 4 more NFC East games plus the Vikings and Tampa as Fall turns to Winter here in DC. Being able to pound it takes pressure off McNabb, tires the D and sets up play action passing. Hence, it is Key #1.

Key #2. Better pass protection. This also involves a smarter pass attack, like throwing on first down to quick slants and off play-action, plus some roll-out activity. If we are stuck with Rabach, let's at least out-scheme his liabilities.

Key #3. Win on Special Teams. Banks is out for a few weeks. Fine. Bring up Austin. He could even help with our so-so WR corps a little. A spark is all we need....

Key #4. Stay PHYSICAL. The Skins POUND other teams on D. I say unleash the hounds. Haynesworth is tanned and rested, so more of him. But keep up the intensity. We may not have the best numbers on D, we we sure make the other teams pay dearly. That will work to our advantage down the stretch.

Key #5. Minimize McNabb. A better running game and a smarter pass attack takes the pressure off. It also sets up the timely deep ball - one area that he has had some pretty good success. I think he will get his grove back down the stretch, so let's create a situation to help that along.

Key #6. Don't beat ourselves. Good decisions, smart tough play and no deadly penalties/turn overs will deliver the day more often than not. Not throwing the stupid INT at the end of Detroit probably wins the game, for example. If we get beat, so be it, but let's not throw anything away.

Key #7. Stay Healthy! We are paper thin in too many places. Gotta stay healthy out there. That includes you Trent Williams!

We beat Philly at home on Monday Night and sweep Dallas (sweet!), split with the Gina's, lose to the Titans (AFC game, who cares...) and win the rest. 10-6. Wild card.

I just don't get it. How does Portis have it like that! Every year he sits out, sits out, and sits out. The rate he is going he will have a twenty year career - I guess it is all about Clinton and the money.

Posted by: Baller1122

What a dumbazz comment. I would just love for groin to separate from the bone. That sounds like a lot of fun......

brown, Golic isn't all that bad. Seems to be a victim of the gimmick environment ESPN loves to relish in. "Greeny" on the other hand just comes off as the ultimate deuchenozzle. The very few times they do take callers, he is very snobbish and arrogant to them -- the complete opposite of Steve Czaban and his morning/afternoon crew.

I don't know if you have XM, but you can listen to his show on 242 I think...

The point for us is, the next 8 games are D McNabb's to prove he is extension worthy.

Solid play, and a 5-3 finish should earn one.

The same kinda play we've already seen and a 3-5 finish we go quarterback shopping.

And this time around, there are some legit young players to be had.

Posted by: MistaMoe | November 9, 2010 12:38 PM

If McNabb delivers down the stretch and gets his extension - which I hope does happen, I still think we consider taking QB at #1. Gives him a year or two to develop before being thrown out there, and if McNabb gets hurt, uhh... when McNabb gets hurt, we have a better back up to go to, and he gets valuable playing time without shouldering the burden of franchise expectations right away.

Outside of Luck, I don't think much about this group of QBs. Locker is a poor man's Tebow. Mallet isn't that impressive in big games. Newton is intriguing. He reminds me of a more athletic Steve McNair.

Anyway, outside of Luck I don't think any of them are 1st round locks.

If McNabb delivers down the stretch and gets his extension - which I hope does happen, I still think we consider taking QB at #1. Gives him a year or two to develop before being thrown out there, and if McNabb gets hurt, uhh... when McNabb gets hurt, we have a better back up to go to, and he gets valuable playing time without shouldering the burden of franchise expectations right away.

Posted by: edvar

Until we build something that resembles a NFL O-Line, it would be useless to take a QB. O-line with the first pick again.....

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